AD/ROTAX/7 - Fuel Pump P/N 996 592

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B06673, were enacted to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addresses the critical issue of airworthiness directives to maintain the integrity of aircraft components. Specifically, Part 39 - 106 pertains to airworthiness directives for specific aircraft engines, such as the Rotax piston engines, to mitigate risks associated with identified safety hazards. The directive AD/ROTAX/7, which became effective on 18 June 1998, aims to replace the engine fuel pump and steel fuel line in Rotax 912A, 912F, and 912UF model engines to prevent potential cracking and subsequent fuel leaks. The policy objective is to ensure compliance within a specified timeframe to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular legislative instrument, AD/ROTAX/7, addresses the replacement of fuel pumps and steel fuel lines in certain Rotax piston engines. The directive applies to Rotax 912A, 912F, and 912UF model engines as outlined in the relevant Bombardier Rotax Technical Bulletins. The requirement to replace these components is mandated to mitigate the risk of fuel leaks due to potential cracking at the fittings, as advised by Austrian Airworthiness Directive Number 94/1. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of the directive's issue or at the next repair of a leaking fuel pump, whichever comes first. This directive took effect on 18 June 1998, underscoring the importance of timely action to ensure the safety and airworthiness of affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 106, specifically in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive regarding the replacement of fuel pumps in certain Rotax piston engines (AD/ROTAX/7). This directive applies to Rotax 912A, 912F, and 912UF model engines as detailed in the relevant Bombardier Rotax Technical Bulletins (s.1). The directive mandates that the engine fuel pump and steel fuel line must be replaced in accordance with the specified technical bulletins (s.2). Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of service time from the issue date of the directive, or at the next repair of a leaking fuel pump, whichever comes first (s.3). This airworthiness directive became effective on 18 June 1998 (s.4). Under the directive, the parties or entities governed by this regulation must ensure that the specified engines are inspected and, if necessary, the fuel pump and steel fuel line are replaced. This inspection and replacement must be conducted in accordance with the technical bulletins provided by Bombardier Rotax (s.5). The directive mandates that the replacement must be carried out within the stipulated timeframe, which is either 100 hours of service time or at the next repair if a fuel leak is detected (s.6). Compliance with these requirements is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent potential fuel leaks that could compromise safety. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive may result in civil or criminal penalties. The specific consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument provided. However, generally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include fines, legal action, or other regulatory sanctions (s.7). The maximum penalties for such breaches would be determined in accordance with the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia.